Perhaps the most troubling indicator for the White House is the finding that less than half of those polled have seen signs of stimulus funds being used in their communities, as expressed in answers to a series of questions related to the progress of the stimulus.

Only 35 percent said the stimulus package has “allowed my state and local governments to avoid laying off a large number of teachers, firefighters and police officers.”

Likewise, only 44 percent are aware of any newly created projects in their areas and just a quarter of those polled know of any new “green jobs” that have begun in their communities in the last six months.

“The reason you see what might be characterized as mediocre numbers is that two-thirds of the stimulus is basically invisible,” said Bendixen. “In terms of the tax cut and subsidizing the states, it is very hard for Americans to see the effects.”

Chris Keeley, the associate director of Common Cause in New York who will participate in a conference call discussing the poll Tuesday, said that it seems most Americans do not seem to fully appreciate that “it is going to take time for this money to get out the door.”

“If that message is not getting out to the public, then yes, we have a public relations issue,” he said.

Juhu Thukral, who is also participating in the call as the director of law and advocacy for the Opportunity Agenda, a progressive think tank, said, “people don’t always see the benefit or retention of jobs. We hear about all these teachers and police officers retaining jobs, but a lot of states haven’t figured out how to measure that.”

“The White House made a very strong commitment to creating equal opportunities,” said Thukral. “But it’s really clear that after the first layer of transparency from recovery.gov the next level isn’t going far enough in getting the information out about who is creating those jobs and where they are going.”

This white woman is saying the stimulus HAS NOT MADE the economy better.

I cant see anything different in the State of North Carolina.

They banks are not lending money like they should be doing!

The Banks are not refinancing houses like they should be doing!

Food keeps going up in prices I was spending $200.00 a week for grocery 's last year today I am spending

$320.00 for the same amount of food ! I have no extras money in my pockets

So who ever did this poll is lying to the people Race has nothing to do with this economic mess OR THE STIMULUS SO GET OFF THE SOAP BOX ABOUT RACE! THIS IS EFFECTING ALL AMERICA'S TODAY! THIS ECONOMIC MESS BELONGS TO THE GOP AND GEORGE W.BUSH FOR DEREGULATIONS OF ALL MAJOR BANKS AND OTHER COMPANIES IN THE UNTIED STATES. NO RULES FOR THESE MAJOR BUSINESS TO FOLLOW...... TO MUCH FREEDOM WITH MONEY!

WALL STREET IS TO BLAME ALSO AND WAS THE KEY PLAYER IN THIS ECONOMIC DOWN FALL!

Another in a long line of useless Politico articles. Has not Andy Barr ever taken a statistics class and done regression analysis? Any nitwit knows that blacks will overwhelmingly support ANYTHING our Dear Leader does simply because he is half-black, and therefore received 95% of their votes.

To foolishly say the stimulus is working based on the opinion of minorities voted for him in vast numbers, is just poor logic to anyone with a brain.

40 percent of whites, Hispanics and Native Americans said the stimulus has made the economy better, compared to 59 percent of African-Americans and 47 percent of Asian-Americans.

That's because those 59% of Aftican-Americans probably benefited from the stimulus bill. Maybe it is because they're getting all that low-income housing that's being built all over Harlem and other black neighborhoods, more government help with keeping the home they bought with zero down, etc. Why aren't poor Hispanic, white and Asian neighborhoods getting all that low-income housing money?

why wouldn't it be different? thats what obama said he was going to do,redistribute the wealth. he told you but you elected him anyway. but thats not all he's doing. he's putting us in danger and destroying the economy.

What a joke, why bother taking a poll like this? Of course "people of color" think things are wonderful. More food stamps, bigger welfare checks, more HUD grants for cheap housing. And a half black is in the POTUS. Heck, things are just terrific! I'm surprised its not 95% approval! Yes, this is a racist statement, go ahead and scream. This poll is about as racist as you can get.

We really need to start being honest and stop referring to this bill as "stimulus". That term is an Obama bin Lyin' deception. This is first and foremost a "welfare" bill. So, let's stop playing games and call it what it is.

The people paying the tax bill ( or know it is on the way) are not happy about the stimulus. The economy will not get better, people will not spend, because we all know the big tax bill is coming. Save your money taxpayers, you are going to need it. The rest of you, enjoy the freebies.

well of course if your black, you will support Obama no matter what his policies are and whether they work or not. This is not a surprise. After all, 95% of all blacks voted for Obama. The "One" can do no wrong by the uneducated masses and some of the educated.

This should be easy to understand if one considers the VOTING habits of the different groups. History shows that there will be a more balanced view on the part of those who base their response on evidence and analysis and a more one sided view from those who HISTORICALLY base their votes on PARTY or RACE.

What surprises ME is the 75% approval among Blacks. I would have expected at least 90%.

This white woman is saying the stimulus HAS NOT MADE the economy better.

I cant see anything different in the State of North Carolina.

They banks are not lending money like they should be doing!

The Banks are not refinancing houses like they should be doing!

Food keeps going up in prices I was spending $200.00 a week for grocery 's last year today I am spending

$320.00 for the same amount of food ! I have no extras money in my pockets

So who ever did this poll is lying to the people Race has nothing to do with this economic mess OR THE STIMULUS SO GET OFF THE SOAP BOX ABOUT RACE! THIS IS EFFECTING ALL AMERICA'S TODAY!

THIS ECONOMIC MESS BELONGS TO THE GOP AND GEORGE W.BUSH FOR DEREGULATIONS OF ALL MAJOR BANKS AND OTHER COMPANIES IN THE UNTIED STATES. NO RULES FOR THESE MAJOR BUSINESS TO FOLLOW...... TO MUCH FREEDOM WITH MONEY!

WALL STREET IS TO BLAME ALSO AND WAS THE KEY PLAYER IN THIS ECONOMIC DOWN FALL!

trial trial

Brendett, first banks are not required to loan money. they loaned money to people who could not afford houses, because the government required them to do so...those people couldn't afford the house...

food is going up for ALL OF US...

Banks shouldnt have to re finance loans to people who still can't afford the house..they bought too much house...a significant portion of the houses with modified loans return to default...to expensive of a house

Of course everyone can blame GWB and the GOP but it is conviently forgotten that since 2006 the Democrats controlled congress and the finanicial committes. Prior to this the GOP had a small majority that dwindled over the 8 years as it always does...

you are upset about too much freedom with money? well how about i tell you how to spend your money and take your freedom away? how would you feel?

The question should have been, "Do you believe that the Stimulus Bill was the best way to help the economy in both the short & long term?"

you are correct...keynesian economics does not work...when the government stops spending where is the money to replace that which was spent? theoretically it is by the new businesses created or jobs created, however, since the government is paying for those jobs, real jobs are not created...therefore, the stimulus does not infact creat new jobs that are lasting and that will keep people employed.

this is a fundemental difference between liberals and conservatives and this is why we still have and will have for several years, high unemployement, these are theories not comprehendable by liberals.